Carb Cap

/ˈkärb-ˈkap/ | Noun

Dabbing accessory that restricts airflow and traps heat around domeless nails or bangers, allowing the cannabis concentrate to vaporize at a lower temperature, preserving the quality and flavor of the concentrate.

That carb cap really made for a better dabbing experience.

Before I got my carb cap, all my concentrates tasted the same — but now that I have it, I can really taste the difference.

More About Carb Cap

The carb cap was invented by Task Rok, founder of dab accessories company Highly Educated, in 2013. The term carb cap comes from the word “carburetor.” A carb cap is to a dabbing rig what a carburetor is to a car. Just like a carburetor controls the airflow, and, as a result, the pressure around an engine, a carb cab controls the airflow and, as a result, the pressure around a dab.

Different Types of Carb Caps

While the functionality of all carb caps is the same — to trap heat and lower the temperature at which dabs will vaporize — there are a number of different types and styles that are ideal for different dabbing setups.

Some popular types of carb caps include:

Standard Carb Caps

Standard carb caps are simple, with a rounded end that acts as the cap and a handle to hold during the dabbing process.

Bubble Carb Caps

Named for their bubblelike shape, bubble carb caps, which were designed to work with flat-top quartz bangers caps have hollow stems that extend from both the top and bottom of the cap, creating the carb. The rounded shape creates a seal against the flat top, which allows the concentrate to vaporize faster. The shape also allows dabbers to easily rotate the carb cap, which can move the concentrate across the banger faster (known as “chasing”), making for a more efficient dab.

Directional Flow Carb Caps

Directional flow carb caps also create a seal on banger-style nails, but a directional flow carb cap features a carb hole and a thin, angled stem that extends from the bottom of the cap. When rotated, the airflow created by the stem will “chase” the concentrate around the surface of the nail, allowing it to vaporize more quickly.

In terms of materials, most carb caps are titanium, quartz, or glass.

How to Use a Carb Cap

Step 1: Apply a dab to heated nail or banger surface.

Step 2: Cover the nail or banger with the carb cap.

Step 3: If you’re using a directional flow or bubble carb cap, gently twist or rotate the carb cap, which will spread the concentrate across the nail surface by pushing the flow of air around the chamber. If you’re using a standard carb cap or a cap with a flat base, use a gentle up-and-down motion to control the airflow.

Where to Find a Carb Cap

Carb caps have no other use other than as a dab accessory, so the only place you’ll find them is at dispensaries, smoke shops, or online cannabis accessory retailers.

The Benefits of Using a Carb Cap

The main benefit of using a carb cap is that it allows concentrates to be vaporized at a much lower temperature. When the nail of a dab rig is heated to an extremely high temperature — torches can heat the nail to upwards of 1,000 degrees Farenheit, or about 538 degrees Celsius — it can effectively destroy the taste and potency of the dab, leaving dabbers with a burnt, ineffective vapor. By dabbing at a lower temperature between 300 and 400 degrees Farenheit, or about 149 to 204 degrees Celsius, dabbers can experience the full flavor and taste profile of the concentrate while maintaining the terpenes, preserving the concentrate’s therapeutic and intoxicating effects.